Mail-box signal



J. E. BLOW MAIL BOX SIGNAL Filed July 12, 1922 Patented July 26, 1926,

UNITE SIS JOSEPH F; 31.0w, OF LA oYeNn, KANSAS- MArL-Box SIGNAL.

Application filed July 12, 1922. Serial No. 574,362.

My invention relates to signals for mail boxes.

It frequently occurs in the rural districts, that the mail boxes are located as much as one-half mile from the residence, and it is therefore desirable that the occupant of the house have some'means to determine whether or not there is mail in the box without actually going to the box to make an inspection.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap but effective signal, whereby the opening of the mail box will instantly give an audible, as well as a visible signal in the residence that mail has been deposited in the box. In the event that the owner is not in when this signal is given, the visible signal remains until the parts are restored to their normal position; therefore, the owner of the box is assured of a notice of mail being deposited in the letter box; and with this and other objects in view, my invention consists of-the parts and combination of parts as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings:

' Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the signal box with the cover thereof removed, and

Fig. 3 is a View on the line 33, Fig. 2.

For carrying out my invention, I place at some convenient position in thedwelling, a case 1 of suitable construction having an elongated slot 2, through one side wall thereof, and a'slot 3 in another side wall thereof. In this casing I secure a suitable shelf or support 4, on which are mounted brackets 5, the forward end of said brackets being in alignment with one side wall of the slot 3 as will be hereinafter pointed out.

The motor 6, of suitable construction, is mounted on the support 4, and is provided with a shaft 7, upon which is mounted a gear wheel 8. On this same shaft 7, I secure fly wheel 9 and arms 10, upon the ends of which are secured bell clappers 11. The visible signal bar 12 is provided with rack teeth on its under edge, which are adapted to engage with the gear wheel 8, whereby the bar is projected through the slot 3 to the exterior of the casing, and constitutes, when so projected, a visible signal.

It is desirable when the bar has reached its outermost movement to break the operative connection between the gear wheel and the bar, and for this purpose I provide the visible signal bar at its rear end with a recess 13 formed on an are greater than the arc ofthe gear wheel 8, whereby the gear bell 14- projecting from the slot 2 softhat the arms 10 are revolved by the shaft 7, the clappers projecting through the slot 2 engage the bell 12. On the lower part of the casing, I position suitable batteries 15, which are electrically connected to the motor 6 by the wires 16.

I mount a mail box 17 of any suitable construction having a hinged closure or door 18 adapted to lit the box with water-tight connection, said closure having an arm 19 extending at an angle therefrom. In proximity to the mail box 17, I position a suitable post 20 on which are mounted plates 21, 22 and 23. The plate 21 is provided with a binding. post 24 to which the wire 25 is connected, running back to the motor. 26 is an arm connected to the plate 21 upon which the blade 27'of the knife switch is pivotally mounted as at 28. This blade 2? is connected to the arm 19 of the letter box door by means of the link 29. Extending from the plate 22 are the spring jaws 30 of the knife switch adapted to receive between them the knife blade 27. 31 is a post extending forwardly from the plate 22 to which is secured a contact spring 32 which is adapted to contact with the plate 33 mounted on the posts 34: of the plate 23, one

of the posts 34 being connected by the wire 35 to the motor;

The blade of the knife switch is provided at its upper end with a set screw 36 having a suitable lock nut 37, whereby the set screw may be locked in an adjusted position.

When the door or closure 18 is raised up to gain access to the box 17, the arm 19 is moved with the cover, which through the link 29 throws the knife switch blade 27 between the jaws 30, thereby establishing a circuit between 35, 33, 32, 31, 30, 24 and 25 with the motor. As the cover 18 is elevated the set screw 36 engages the spring 32, and when the fully elevated position is reached the spring 32 is shoved out of contact with the plate 38, thereby breaking the circuit, and preventing unnecessary draining of the battery.

As soon as the parts are set in operation, the bell is sounded and the visible signal bar 12 is projected by the casing and remains in that position until pushed back by hand. It is obvious that changes may be made in the details of construction within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

hat 1 claim is:

1. In a mail box signal, a casing,- a motor in said casing connected to a suitable source of power, a shaft driven by said motor, a gear wheel on said shaft, :1 signal rack bar operatively engagingsaid gear wheel whereby the said bar may be projected outside said casing as a visible signal. a fly wheel mounted on said shaft. a bell clapper rotating with said wheel. a slot in one side of said casing through which the clapper may move outside of the casing and a bell mounted on said casing near said slot and in the path of the said clapper.

In a mail box signal. a casing, a motor in said casing connected to a suitable source of power, a shaft driven by said motor, a gear wheel on said shaft, a signal rack bar operativel-y engaging; said gear wheel whereby the said bar may be projected outside said casing as a visible signal, a fly wheel mounted on said shaft, a bell clapper rotating with said wheel, a slot in one side of said casing through which the clapper may move outside of the casing and a bell mounted on said casing near said slot and in the path of the said clapper, and a recess near one end of said rack bar in which the gear wheel may revolve without engagement with said bar when the bar has reached the end of its intended movement.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH E. BLOW. 

